Fractional inspiratory oxygen monitoring valve apparatus

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a fractional inspiratory oxygen monitoring valve apparatus, adapted for insertion in respiratory systems used in hospitals for administering oxygen to patients. The monitoring valve apparatus enables withdrawal of a sample of the oxygenated air stream to the patient for purposes of supply to the oxygen analyzer, and insures against leakage of oxygen from the system when the sampling withdrawal is terminated. The apparatus is simple in construction, of relatively low cost, and readily installable and operable by persons of minimal skill or special training.

United States Patent [1 1 Eross 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] FRACTIONALINSPIRATORY OXYGEN 'MONITORING VALVE APPARATUS [75] Inventor: BelaEross, Penn Hills Township,

Allegheny County, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Instrumentation Industries, luc.,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

221 Filed: May2l,197l 21 Appl.No.: 145,802

52 Us. 01. ..137/322, 251 149.7, 285/156, 128/274 51 Int. Cl...F16l37/28, F161 47/00 [58] Field of Search .1 ..25l/149.6, 149.7;137/561, 137/320, 317,322, 230, 231; 73/420; '285/156, 238, 240, 332;128/140, 247, 274

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,538,662 1/1951' Abbott..285/332 X 3,472,531 10/1969 Evesque ..285l238 X 3,566,696 3/1971Maddison et a1. ..73/420 3,381,982 5/1968 Elek ..285/l56 FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 978,107 12/1964 GreatBritain ..137/322 PrimaryExaminer-William R. Cline Attorney-Hue", Blenko & Ziesenheim [57]ABSTRACT The specification discloses a fractional inspiratory oxygenmonitoring valve apparatus, adapted for insertion in respiratory systemsused in hospitals for administering oxygen to patients. The monitoringvalve apparatus enables withdrawal of a sample of the oxygenated airstream to the patient for purposes of supply to the oxygen analyzer, andinsures against leakage of oxygen from the system when the samplingwithdrawal is terminated. The apparatus is simple in construction, ofrelatively low cost, and readily installable and operable by persons ofminimal skill or special training.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures mhmluuluu ll l mvzmon Bela Eross FRACTIONALINSPIRATORY OXYGEN MONITORING VALVE APPARATUS This invention relates tomonitoring valve apparatus propriateness of the oxygen content and otherfactors in the air supplied to the patient.

' In the administration of a controlled air supply from a respirator toa patient, it is highly important that the appropriate oxygen and otherfactors be monitored quickly and readily without elaborate equipment andwithout the necessity for utilizing highly skilled personnel. It hasheretofore been necessary to employ technicians of considerableexperience and skill to obtain a sample of the controlled air supply tothe patient for delivery to the analyzer. In order to withdraw a supplyof the controlled air being supplied to the patient, it has been thepractice to inject a needle, similar to a hypodermic needle, into oneofthe flexible hose connections through which the air stream to thepatient flows and by means of a resilient bulb induce a vacuum on theneedle for purposes of withdrawing a sample of the controlled air andthen, inturn, delivering the sample so withdrawn to the analyzer bycompression of the bulb.

This type of operation is relatively slow and tedious and requiresskilled personnel. Moreover, leakage of controlled air from the flexiblehose is likely to occur upon withdrawal of the needle. g

I propose to provide a monitoring valve apparatus by which a samplesupplyfrom the stream of controlled air to the patient may be diverteddirectly to the analyzer under the pressure existing in the system andwithout the necessity for utilizing a bulb to pressurize the samplewithdrawn. Moreover, the monitoring valve apparatus is adapted toprovide for cut off of the diverted sample supplied to the analyzerwithout danger of causing leakage from the system. Also, the monitoringvalve apparatus is of relatively simple construction and low cost andcapable of use by persons who are relatively unskilled.

Respirator 10, which for simplicity is shown in block form, comprisesconventional equipment for supplying a controlled oxygenated air supply.The controlled air supply is conducted via a flexible hose 13 to anebulizer 11 which functions to inject any additional element orelements, in vaporized form, into the air stream. For reasons which willbecome apparent later, the monitoring valve apparatus 14 which Iprovide, is desirably interposed at this point in the system between theoutput of the nebulizer and a flexible hose 15 connected to the input ofexhalation valve 12. For the present it will suf- The monitoring valveapparatus which l provide is essentially a fitting of T-shape readilyinsertable in existing respiratory systems and having a normally closedvalve in the stem portion of the fitting. A hollow stem is insertable inthe stern portion of the fitting to unseat the valve and bleed ofi asample of controlled air supply to an analyzer. Removal of the hollowstem automatically returns the valve in the valve stem to closedposition.

Details of the monitoring valve apparatus constituting my invention willbe described hereinafter'in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic view of a respiratory system,illustrative of those used in hospitals, embodying my novel monitoringvalve apparatus, and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view, mainly in section, showingdetails of my monitoring valve apparatus, and in which the valveactivating stemportion is shown separated from the valve body itself.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the illustrative respiratory systemshown therein comprises a respirator 10, a nebulizer 11, and anexhalation valve 12.

fice to understand that the controlled air supply flows through the bodyof the monitoring valve apparatus and thence via the exhalation valveand a flexible hose 16 to the patient. Air exhaled by the patient isblocked against back flow and diverted to the atmosphere via an exhaustor exhalation port 17.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the monitoring valve apparatus 14 shown isessentially a T-fitting in three parts, namely a body portion 18, aconnection portion 19, and a valve activating stem 20, shown separatedfrom the body portion.

The body portion is cylindrical in form and has a central longitudinalthrough passage 21. The body portion has an external circumferential rib22 of enlarged diameter, the rib having a radial hole therein openinginto the passage 21. A hollow tubular sleeve 23 is suitably cemented inthe radial hole and extends substantially at a right-angle to thebodyportion. Sleeve 23 has a through bore 24 which is tapped to receive thebody of a valve 25. Valve 25 is similar to the type of valve in anautomotive tire valve stem. It is normally biased to a seated, or closedposition blocking escape of air or gas from the passage 21 but isunseated, that is opened, by pressure applied inwardly on a valve stem26. i

. Valve activating stem 20 is a tubular element, having a centralportion 27 of uniform diameter and oppositely extending circularlytapered end portions 28 and 29. A through bore or passage 30 extendslongitudinally through the stem 20 from the outer extremity of taperedportion 29, through the central portion 27 and through the taperedportion 28 up to a point near the extremity thereof. The blocked end ofthe passage 30 provides a seat for engaging the end of valve stem 26upon insertion of the valve activating stem 20 into the outer end of thetapped bore 24 in sleeve 23. The end portion 28 of the stem 20 is sotapered that the blocked end of the stern engages the valve stem 26 andholds the valve 25 unseated concurrently with engagement of the taperedend portion with the rim of the bore 24 in sleeve 23. By exerting aslight pressure on the stem 20, friction will hold stem 20 within thesleeve 23 in a position to hold the valve 25 unseated. Moreover, with aslight twisting pull the stem 20 may be readily removed from the sleeve23. i

For the purpose of allowing flow of air orgas from the passage 21 intothe passage 30 in the valve activating stem 20, while the stem isfrictionally held in sleeve 23, the end of the tapered portion 28, isprovided with diametrically located flats 31 and a transverse bore orhole 32 through the flats 31 intersecting the passage 30. The endportion 29 of valve activating stem 20 is circuthereon, which, as shownin FIG. 1., leads to a so-called oxygen (0,) analyzer 34. in hose 33 isinterposed a resilient bulb 35 and a dryer unit 36.

The body portion 18, the sleeve 23 and the valve activating stem 20 arepreferably of the same material, which may be any suitable clear,transparent and relatively hard plastic material. The slightly taperedend of the body portion 18 is of suitable diameter to engage sealinglyin the end bore of hose 15 when pressed therein.

The connecting portion 19 is a sleeve of flexible resilient materialhaving an interior sealing rib 37. at one end which expands over thecylindrical end of the body portion 18 and engages in a correspondingexternal groove 38 in the body portion 18 and a second interior sealingrib 39 which engages the end face of the body portion 18. The sleevetapers externally in diameter away from the body portion and has aninternal sealing rib 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the tapered end of theconnecting portion 19 thus sealingly expands over a projecting fitting(not shown) in the nebulizer 11, or any other device correspondinglylocated.

In operation, let it be assumed that the monitoring valve apparatus 14is installed in a respiratory system, such as shown in FIG. 1, aspreviously described, and that the valve activating stem 20 is notconnected to the sleeve 23. In such case, of course, the valve is closedand the controlled air supply flows from the respirator l0 and throughpassage 21 of the monitoring valve apparatus l4, tube 15, exhalationvalve 12, and tube 16 to the patient.

In order to obtain a sample of the controlled air being supplied to the.patient and without interrupting the supply to the patient, for supplyto the analyzer 34, the operator simply inserts the end portion 28 ofthe activating stem 20 into the sleeve 23 of the body portion 18 with aslight twisting motion to thus frictionally hold the stem 20 in thesleeve 23.

Valve stem 26 is thus engaged by the extremity of the tapered endportion 28 of the stem 20 and pressed in so as to hold valve 25unseated. Controlled air under pressure is thus allowed to flow frompassage 21 past the valve 25 and into the passage 30 of the stem 20,whence it continues via hose 33, the bulb and dryer 36 to the analyzer34. It should be understood that bulb 35 is not required, as it has beenin heretofore known practice, for pressurizing the sample to supply itto the analyzer. However, it may serve a useful purpose, as whencalibrating the analyzer.

When the period of sample withdrawal has been completed, termination ofthe supply to the analyzer may be effected readily and quickly by simplyremoving the valve activating stem 20 from the sleeve 23. Upon removalof the stem 20, pressure on the valve stem 26 is automatically removedand the valve 25 is thus restored to its seated or closed position,sealing the bore 24 against leakage of controlled air from the passage21.

It will thus be seen that the monitoring valve apparatus which I haveprovided may be readily installed and operated by personnel with minimaltraining or skill. Moreover, the possibility of leakage of controlledair under pressure from the respiratory system is avoided because of thetight closure of valve 25. Also, the non-metallic character of theapparatus is a safety factor, as it avoids possible sparks due to clashof metal parts a dangerous situation where oxygen or traces thereof maybe present in the ambient atmosphere.

While a specific embodiment of the monitoring valve apparatus has beenshown and a particular use thereof described, it should be apparent thatvariations in the apparatus and its use are possible within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. Monitoring valve apparatus for use in respiratory systems and thelike, comprising a tubular body member having a through passage adaptedfor connection in a communication through which a controlled gas isdelivered to a patient, a tubular sleeve member generally radially onsaid body member having a branch passage opening out of said throughpassage, a

normally closed valve in said branch passage; and a tu-' bularactivating stem insertable in the open end of said branch passage havingmeans for opening said valve to bleed controlled gas under pressure fromsaid through passage through said activating stern for a desiredpurpose, one of said sleeve and stem being of resilient plasticdimensioned to resiliently interfit and engage the other in frictionallyheld sealing relationship upon a predetermined amount of engagement.

2. Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said valvehas a valve stem projecting outwardly of said branch passage and engagedby the inner end of said activating stem, when inserted inwardly fromthe outer end of said branch passage, to effect unseating of said valve.

3. Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidactivating stem has a tapered end portion frictionally held in the outerend of said branch passage upon a predetermined amount of insertionthereinto, in which position the inner end of said activating stemengages said valve stem to hold said valve unseated.

4. Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end ofsaid tubular body portion is circularly tapered toward the outer endthereof to sealingly engage in the end bore of a hose.

5. Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end ofsaid tubular body portion opposite said one end is cylindrical and hasin spaced relation to the outer end of said cylindrical end an externalperipheral groove, and wherein a tubular connecting member of resilientmaterial is provided having at one end an interior sealing rib which isexpandible over said cylindrical end for engagement in said peripheralgroove and having at its opposite end an expandible interior sealing ribfor connection to another member in said system.

6. Monitoring valve'apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidactivating stem has a longitudinal passage therein and a transversepassage therethrough intersecting said longitudinal passage, throughwhich controlled gas under pressure is bled from said through passage insaid fitting when said valve is unseated by said activating stem.

7. Monitoring valve apparatus for use in respiratory systems and thelike, comprising a fitting having a through passage adapted forconnection in a communication through which a controlled gas isdelivered to a patient, a branch passage opening out of said throughpassage, and a normally closed valve in said branch passage; and atubular activating stem insertable in the open end of said branchpassage for opening said valve to bleed controlled gas under pressurefrom said through passage through said activating stern for a desiredpurpose, said fitting comprising a tubular body portion containing saidthrough passage, a transverse opening through the wall of said tubularportion, and a sleeve sealingly secured in said opening and providingsaid branch passage, wherein the end of said tubular body portionopposite said one end is cylindrical and 0

1. Monitoring valve apparatus for use in respiratory systems and thelike, comprising a tubular body member having a through passage adaptedfor connection in a communication through which a controlled gas isdelivered to a patient, a tubular sleeve member Generally radially onsaid body member having a branch passage opening out of said throughpassage, a normally closed valve in said branch passage; and a tubularactivating stem insertable in the open end of said branch passage havingmeans for opening said valve to bleed controlled gas under pressure fromsaid through passage through said activating stem for a desired purpose,one of said sleeve and stem being of resilient plastic dimensioned toresiliently interfit and engage the other in frictionally held sealingrelationship upon a predetermined amount of engagement.
 2. Monitoringvalve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said valve has a valvestem projecting outwardly of said branch passage and engaged by theinner end of said activating stem, when inserted inwardly from the outerend of said branch passage, to effect unseating of said valve. 3.Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said activatingstem has a tapered end portion frictionally held in the outer end ofsaid branch passage upon a predetermined amount of insertion thereinto,in which position the inner end of said activating stem engages saidvalve stem to hold said valve unseated.
 4. Monitoring valve apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein one end of said tubular body portion iscircularly tapered toward the outer end thereof to sealingly engage inthe end bore of a hose.
 5. Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim1, wherein the end of said tubular body portion opposite said one end iscylindrical and has in spaced relation to the outer end of saidcylindrical end an external peripheral groove, and wherein a tubularconnecting member of resilient material is provided having at one end aninterior sealing rib which is expandible over said cylindrical end forengagement in said peripheral groove and having at its opposite end anexpandible interior sealing rib for connection to another member in saidsystem.
 6. Monitoring valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidactivating stem has a longitudinal passage therein and a transversepassage therethrough intersecting said longitudinal passage, throughwhich controlled gas under pressure is bled from said through passage insaid fitting when said valve is unseated by said activating stem. 7.Monitoring valve apparatus for use in respiratory systems and the like,comprising a fitting having a through passage adapted for connection ina communication through which a controlled gas is delivered to apatient, a branch passage opening out of said through passage, and anormally closed valve in said branch passage; and a tubular activatingstem insertable in the open end of said branch passage for opening saidvalve to bleed controlled gas under pressure from said through passagethrough said activating stem for a desired purpose, said fittingcomprising a tubular body portion containing said through passage, atransverse opening through the wall of said tubular portion, and asleeve sealingly secured in said opening and providing said branchpassage, wherein the end of said tubular body portion opposite said oneend is cylindrical and has in spaced relation to the outer end of saidend portion an external peripheral groove, and wherein a tubularconnecting member of resilient material is provided with a pair ofaxially spaced interior sealing ribs, one of which is expandible overthe cylindrical end of said tubular body portion to engage in saidperipheral groove and the other of which sealingly engages the outer endface of said cylindrical end of the tubular body portion.